Laravel bug fixes, maintenance, and development
Bug fixes, performance optimisation, and incremental improvements for Laravel applications. Senior-level work without the rewrite.
Laravel problems I fix
Common problems
- Application has become slow, especially under load
- Bugs keep appearing in the same areas
- Previous developer left incomplete work
- Tests are missing or broken
- Deployments are risky and manual
- Need new features but worried about breaking existing ones
My solutions
- Profile and optimise database queries, caching, and queue processing
- Refactor problematic code and add test coverage
- Audit codebase, document findings, complete unfinished work
- Implement test suite with meaningful coverage
- Set up CI/CD with staging environment and automated deployment
- Add features incrementally with proper testing and rollback plans
How I keep Laravel applications stable
Bug fixes
Find and fix the root cause, not just the symptom. Understand why it broke before deciding how to repair it.
Performance work
Query optimisation, caching strategy, queue configuration. Measurable improvements backed by profiling data.
Code quality
Refactoring towards maintainability. Static analysis, test coverage, and adherence to Laravel conventions.
Feature development
New functionality built to the same standards as the rest of the codebase. Incremental delivery, not big-bang releases.
API work
REST or GraphQL APIs built or improved. Authentication, rate limiting, versioning, and documentation.
Ongoing support
Security updates, dependency management, and someone to call when production has problems.
Preventing problems before they reach production
Laravel applications need discipline to stay maintainable. I follow practices that prevent problems rather than just fix them.
Changes tested in staging before production deployment
Database migrations with rollback capability
Feature flags for gradual rollout of risky changes
Monitoring and alerting for production issues
Documented processes for incident response
Regular dependency updates with compatibility testing
How engagements work
Initial conversation
You describe the problem. I ask questions to understand the context.
Audit
I examine the application, identify issues, and assess overall health.
Proposal
A fixed scope for specific work, or a retainer for ongoing support.
Delivery
Changes tested in staging, deployed deliberately, documented for handover.
How code gets to production matters
Deployment discipline matters as much as the code itself. I can implement or improve the following.
CI/CD pipelines with automated testing
Zero-downtime deployments
Environment parity between staging and production
Database backup and restoration procedures
Secrets management
Common questions
Should we rewrite or refactor?
Usually refactor. Rewrites are expensive, risky, and often repeat the same mistakes. Incremental improvement is slower but safer. I will tell you if a rewrite genuinely makes sense.
Can you take over an existing Laravel app?
Yes. I start with an audit to understand the current state, then prioritise fixes based on risk and business impact. This creates a baseline before making changes.
Do you work with Laravel packages and ecosystems?
Yes. Livewire, Inertia, Filament, Nova, Horizon, and the broader Laravel ecosystem. I can assess which packages make sense for your use case.
What about Laravel upgrades?
I handle upgrades from older Laravel versions, including the breaking changes between major versions. This requires testing, dependency updates, and careful deployment.
Can you help with API integrations?
Yes. Third-party API integrations, payment processing, authentication providers, and similar. I can build new integrations or fix existing ones.
Laravel work across the UK
For UK businesses looking specifically for Laravel maintenance, rescue and support, see the Laravel developer UK page.
Have a Laravel application that needs attention?
Describe the current state and what you need. I will tell you if I can help.